her homesteading skills are unmatched, she raises chickens, goats, horses, a wide variety of vegetables, not to mention she’s an expert is all sorts of homesteading skills such as hide tanning, doll making, tree tapping and many, many more. Now, I am going to warn you – the miniscule parasites both look and feel gross. Unfortunately, bagworm infestations generally go undetected until damage is complete, and the large bags constructed by this pest are very conspicuous. The silken texture of the bag is hidden and strengthened by layers of leaves, twigs and bark fragments arranged in a crosswise or shingle fashion. These products should be applied from early to mid-June while the larvae are small. You do not typically know that the trees on your homestead are infested with bagworms until they create the “bags” that contain are dangling from leaf filed branches. A number of natural enemies attack the larval and egg stages of the bagworm. Bagworms winter over as eggs inside the belly of the mummified mature female. Once both a male and female bagworm both mature and mate, they will die almost immediately after the coupling. They are yellow in color, and resemble maggots. Adult male worms appear in September. Female bagworms, once they reach maturity, never leave the bag, and ultimately die inside the pouch. The bag is made of silk and bits of host foliage. Typically, bagworm infestations are spread via wind dispersion, and through contaminated garden center or nursery stock. Print Image. Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth). The bagworm moth (Psychidae) of the family Lepidoptera might be a pest for Botanists, but for Lepidopterists they are one of the rare architects of the animal world. She then lays her eggs in the bag and dies. Another great way to rid the homestead of bagworms involves tedious manual labor. But, do not let that deter you from removing every bag you find the moment you discover it. Mature larvae loop strands of silk around a twig and become firmly attached. The wattle bagworm (Kotochalia junodi, formerly Acanthopsyche junodi) is a species of moth in the family Psychidae.In southern Africa it is a pest of the black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) which is grown largely as a source of vegetable tannin. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. She crawls out of the bag after laying eggs, drops to the ground and dies. If you are lucky, the frigidly cold temperatures during the winter will kill any bagworm eggs living on your homestead. After copulation, Is there ANYTHING that can be done to keep these pests from making their appearance each year? Dispose of empty containers right away, in a safe manner and place. However, to avoid damaging valuable plants, apply the material only to plants that are specified on the label. A few species also consume small arthropods(such as the camphor scale Pseudaonidi… She never leaves the bag that she constructed as a larva. They destroy the leaves on many branches and most are so high up they are almost impossible to reach, especially on the large mature trees. G.J. When the larva is mature, the bag may be 30 to 50 mm long. Now I am faced YEARLY with what we call TENT WORMS that tend to only infest fruit & nut trees (in my area it is the wild persimmon, huckleberry & hickory trees). They do not kill these trees, just the leaves on the branches they build their webs or tents. The species of parasites that attack this insect can be observed by collecting dozens of bags in the winter and placing them in a fine screen cage. Crowded larvae may eat the buds on these conifers causing branch dieback and open, dead areas. When the larva is mature, the bag may be 30 to 50 mm long. Male adult bagworm moths superficially resemble dark colored flies; they have wings that lack scales and are very capable flyers. The most easily identified feature of bagworms is the tough, portable, silken case they build to live in. The adult female is worm-like. © 2020 New Life On A Homestead | Homesteading Blog, Macaroni and Cheese in Pressure Cooker Recipe. Females never leave the cocoon and mating occurs when the winged male locates a female ready to mate. Bagworm Diet . Feeding and development usually continue until August. Bagworm moth empty coccoon (Eumeta sp. Because new leaf growth occurs annually on deciduous plants, these pests cannot typically kill them. Adult moth. Authored by: Gregory A. Hoover, Sr. Extension Associate. Where do they spend the winter months? Apparently, natural enemies are responsible for bagworm population changes from year to year. I did not notice them as being bags of worms but thought they were some kind of cone…until my trees literally died before my eyes. Bagworms do the most damage during the larvae stage when they are caterpillars focused on feeding on plant matter. Bagworm Moth Caterpillar Life Cycle. They then change into the pupal (resting) stage and remain in this life stage for about 4 weeks. And yes, spraying them with a simple soap and water solution can actually work. These bagworms have clear wings that measure about one inch wide and have black and furry bodies. The bagworm remains inside the pouch with only its head remaining visible so it can eat from the host tree, shrub, or plant. These materials are interwoven to disguise and add strength to the case. An Evergreen Bagworm Moth collected in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/14/2002). It is nearly impossible to see bagworms when they are in their larvae caterpillar stage, at least with the naked eye. The larvae use the silk strands like parachutes to move about their host. It will now fly off to mate with a female, which never leaves its case. Bagworms have a case or bag that the caterpillar forms and suspends from on the plants that they feed on. Each mated female deposits a mass of eggs inside her bag. Male bags will soon be identifiable by pupal skins sticking out of the bottom of the bags. Once the bag is closed, the larvae switch their position so they are now facing downward as they morph into the pupal stage. Bagworms will infest almost any type of tree commonly found in North America – but they do favor some varieties over others: Bagworm infestations can cause severe damage to trees, plants, and shrubs. Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis(Haworth). I am able to use very long poles with a torch wrapped in oil soaked material to burn the webs and HOPEFULLY also burn the worms. The larvae are about 2 mm long when they hatch, and grow to reach about 25 mm long. Upon hatching, young larvae crawl out of the bottom of the bag and start to feed and construct silken shelters over their bodies. Bagworm eggs are protected by the tough silk bag. Is this a result of a parasitoid or the leftover cocoon of a successfully emerged male bagworm moth? The pests hang out in their bags until late summer or early fall when the adult males emerge to mate. Bagworm larvae injure plants when they feed on needles and leaves. Bagworms can cause extensive damage to plants and trees. Even though bagworms are not prone to killing deciduous trees, plants, or shrubs. The Bagworm moth is in the family Lepidoptera, genus Psychidae, and is named for the case that the caterpillar (larval) stage hide in. G.J. When t he caterpillars are no longer feeding, the tree will not experience additional damage beyond what has already occurred, and most importantly, spraying after that point is a complete and counterproductive waste of time and money. An adult female bagworm has a maggotlike appearance with a yellowish white color. This insect is most easily recognized by the case or bag that the caterpillar forms and suspends from ornamental plants on which it feeds. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement. Mature bagworms are about the size of a quarter. In the absence of these preferred hosts, bagworm will eat the foliage of just about any tree: fir, spruce, pine, hemlock, sweetgum, sycamore, honey locust, and black locust. Once both a male and female bagworm both mature and mate, they will die almost immediately after the coupling. Lenhard - Louisiana State University; UGA0795017b, Image 2 - Bagworm: male adult, bag, and pupal case. During September and early October the males (Image 2) leave their cases and fly to bags containing females where mating takes place. A sex pheromone has been identified that when used in traps to lure the male moths, has successfully interfered with this pest's mating behavior. These non-poisonous worms feed on the leaves of trees and plant foliage – sometimes in massive quantities. Some bagworms are specialized in their host plants (monophagous), while others can feed on a variety of plant species (polyphagous). The bagworm is not a major forest pest. Photo by Bob Patterson. This is another possible time for treatment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Walking to inspect all potential hosts and then cutting away the bagworm pouches by hand – along with any dangling silks. Pesticides are poisonous. Adult female bagworms live only a few weeks, while their male counterparts have even less time – a male… Young larvae hatching from the eggs are approximately two mm long, glossy black on the back and dull amber on the undersurface of their bodies. The brown-colored pouches the bagworms make are typically more visible to birds during the fall and spring, which can further help you get rid of an infestation of which you may not even be aware. The adult moth will merge from the case, complete with a full wingspan. Kotochalia junodi is indigenous to Southern Africa, where it originally fed on indigenous relatives of the wattle. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. When fully mature, these pests mate and die immediately afterwards. Bagworms can feed on many different plants, and Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (also called the evergreen bagworm, eastern bagworm, common bagworm, common basket worm, or North American bagworm) can feed on over 50 families of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs (Rhainds et al. Reproduction. The common Bagworm Caterpillar (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) has undergone egg hatch throughout much of the state during the past few weeks (GDD = 600-900). Some tachinids may lay their eggs in the psychid larvae, and take over the host when the log cabin is built. Only male Bagworm moths are winged. Thanks for your wonderful addition to our archives. Handle carefully and store in original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. Unfortunately, they had to be removed and destroyed the beautiful entrance to my cabin. Natural or manufactured insecticide must be used to control bagworms on all types of trees, plants, and shrubs on the homestead, or they will ultimately perish. Some of the reviews on this site may be compensated by the companies whose products were reviewed. These materials are interwoven to disguise and add strength to the case. Image 1 - Bagworm: head of larva protruding. It is then when they attach their bag to a tree branch or sturdy portion of a plant or shrub, and begin cycling into a pupae. The bagworm is a perennial insect pest of arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce, and many other evergreen species. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. At this time, they will seal up their bags and pupate into moths. The adult plaster bagworm moths look like your typical moth. Mature larvae are dull, dirty gray and splotched wit… Architect #2: Jungle Tent It's the home of the caterpillar of the bagworm moth, Brachycyttarus griseus in the family Psychidae. Be sure to follow all insecticide label directions. You should assume any link is an affiliate link. Approximately 1,000 species make up the family Psychidae, in which all species’ larvae are enclosed in a bag and most species have flightless adult females. The Bagworm Moth Caterpillars feed up through August or so. – ID by Roger Kendrick) Bagworms can be subjected to parasitoids too. This pest species spends the winter inside the bag until the following spring. Even if caterpillars are still visible, spraying this late in the season may not be effective. LEARN HOW TO STOP THE INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the Extension Community, Save For Later Print Available in Spanish, William Fountain, University of Kentucky, Bugwood.org. By the early weeks of July, the bags will be filled with growing larvae that will soon be seeking hosts. Moderate defoliation is unsightly. The adult female is wingless, legless and yellow-white in color. The male moth is about one and a half centimeters in length, not so big, and the female is wingless. These natural enemies should emerge from the bagworm and can be seen flying around inside the cage. The larva is a brown or tan caterpillar with black markings. An Evergreen Bagworm Moth caterpillar in … Very good article. Do not contaminate forage, streams, or ponds. Bagworm females cannot fly and local populations can build rapidly when established on preferred hosts, especially arborvitae, cedar, and juniper. Young caterpillars feed on the upper epidermis of host plants, sometimes leaving small holes in the foliage. Only deciduous plants, shrubs, and trees can fight off these tiny parasites. After the bagworm eggs hatch, the larvae start spinning a silk strand that dangles down from the pouch. The adult male bagworm is a grayish moth that dies after mating. The body is slender, black and hairy, and the antennae are broadly feathered. As the larvae (Image 1) grow over the eight to ten week feeding period, they continue to enlarge the exterior of their bags with pieces of foliage, bits of bark, or other plant parts. The bag is made of silk and bits of host foliage. About the size of a quarter, male bagworms are ashy-black moths with transparent wings. After the top of the bag is closed, larvae reverse their position in the bags so that their heads face downward. The adult female lacks eyes, wings, functional legs and mouthparts. After about 4 weeks the males emerge seeking out the female to mate. Females lay 500-1000 eggs in each bag during the previous fall. Where do bagworms come from? The males also have large antennae that they use to detect and track the "scent of the females." The early instar stages during the month of June can easily be overlooked. They are easiest to identify by the bags they construct as they feed. There are multiple different species of bagworms – also commonly referred to as webworms. The worm expels refuse through a small opening at the narrow, lower end of the bag and uses a wider opening at the to… Severe infestations can damage the aesthetics … I normally use cold pressed Neem Oil for all insect control but these are so high in the trees that I can’t reach them to spray. They have comblike antennae and usually have clear wings (which is very unmothlike), since they lose most of their wing scales as they squeeze out of their larval cases. It is not uncommon for small bagworm pouches to be mistaken for pine cones. This pest rarely builds up large populations in foreste… A bagworm is a perennial moth-like insect that eats a number of leaves and plants. In my 40 acre homestead are thousands of mature trees and it is an unsightly annoyance to have them eat away the foliage. At this time, the 1-2 inch long bags are permanently attached to plant twigs by means of tough silken threads. Lenhard - Louisiana State University; UGA0795015b. Several registered insecticide formulations are labeled for bagworm management. These insects have bags that are about one to two inches long and will increase in size as the bagworm larval stage grows. Mix together 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap and 1 gallon of warm water. Come September and October, mature males fly away to find a mate. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. The larva is a brown or tan caterpillar with black markings. There is no need to cut or pull the bagworm pouches after drowning the pests inside, but you can do that if you’d like. The adult male is sooty black and moth-like with transparent wings that are nearly devoid of scales. View our privacy policy. The bag ranges in size from 6 to 152 mm (0.25 to 6 inches) and is constructed from silk and bits of leaves, twigs, and Female bagworms appendages are small when compared to their body dimensions, eyes, and mouths. The pouches that bagworms spin are created from both their silk, and small amounts of foliage that their host tree, plant, or shrub, provides. Damage by mature larvae is especially destructive to evergreen plants. The Evergreen Bagworm and the Grass Bagworm are the only species to produce male moths that are capable of flight. The damage caused to evergreen trees and shrubs is often the most notable. Trees such as sycamore, willow, and other deciduous trees, usually refoliate after an episode of heavy defoliation. The bagworm is most common in southern regions of Pennsylvania. Eggs start hatching from late May through early June. We have a Bagworm page since we get so many requests to identify the caterpillars and cocoons. Male moth of the bagworm just emerging from the pupal stage. The bagworm larvae will keep feeding until they reaches maturity – usually around the final days of August. It also attacks certain deciduous trees such as black locust, honeylocust, and sycamore. Each bag can be up to 1½â€“2½ inches (38–63 millimeters, mm) long when the larva is mature. The Bagworm is a perennial insect that gets its name from the silken bag it constructs around itself. As a caterpillar, in the larval stage, this insect is rarely seen. Poke a hole through the bagworm pouch with the stick. The young bagworms continue to feed during this four week stage. Once a suitable host is found, the caterpillar begins feeding and incorporating material into its bag, which it constructs with pieces of twigs, leaves, and silk … Thank you for any info you can offer in trying to control these invasive insects/worms. Why do we need this? They’re actually native to North America. A male Evergreen Bagworm Moth in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/8/2004). Trees infested with bagworms exhibit increasingly damaged foliage as the infestation increases until the leaves are stripped bare. The adult male bagworm is a small, furry gray moth with clear wings; the adult female does not have wings and never leaves the bag she constructs during feeding. Close the cover on the sprayer, and pump it until pressure has built up and the nozzle is somewhat difficult to squeeze. Come September, male bagworms will mature and reappear as small, furry insects that resemble moths. Their dispersal over wide areas occurs mainly through movement of infested nursery stock and ornamental plants, or by ballooning (wind dispersal) of small bagworm larvae during early June. These tiny pests are capable of consuming up to 80% of the trees they infest. Bagworm larvae feed upon the leaves or needles of their hosts. We are enrolled in the Amazon Associates program, so we may earn a commission if you purchase something from Amazon after clicking one of our links. Mature male bagworms develop into black, fur-covered moths, slightly less than ¼-inch long, with clear wings. The adult male bagworm is a small, furry gray moth with clear wings; the adult female does not have wings and never leaves the bag she constructs during feeding. Identification: The adult male moth has a wingspan of about one-inch and his wings are almost transparent. Nearly 200 different trees are targeted by bagworms. There are visible black or gray markings on the forewings. They have two long visible antennas and a wingspan of about 12mm in length. Once at the female’s bag, the male moth extends its abdomen and copulatory organ and thrusts it through the posterior opening of the female bag and through a slit in the pupal case that houses the female moth. Different species use different plant materials to make their bags. Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. Excessive defoliation of these conifers may cause entire plant death during the following season. Otherwise, treatments will not be as effective against larger larvae. There is only one generation a year in Pennsylvania. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Observe the cage frequently during April and May. Male bagworm moths use feathery antennae to find female bags by locating the source of female sex pheromone. These parasites are native to North America, but primarily infest the eastern and southeastern regions of the country. Are they in the soil & can something be sprayed to prevent them from maturing to the worm stage? The bagworm may be managed on small shrubs and trees by handpicking or cutting the bags from infested plants during late fall, winter, or early spring, before egg hatch. Only the Grass Bagworm and Evergreen Bagworm varieties produce male moths that are capable of flying once they reach maturity. Tara lives on a 56 acres farm in the Appalachian Mountains, where she faces homesteading and farming challenges every single day. There are multiple ways to rid your homestead of bagworms. Mature larvae are dull, dirty gray and splotched with darker markings toward the head. Young larvae hatching from the eggs are approximately two mm long, glossy black on the back and dull amber on the undersurface of their bodies. Dispose of the bags so that this pest will not reenter your landscape. Bagworms complete their growth in August or early September. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. Pour the bagworm control mixture into a clean agriculture spray. Characteristics: Bagworms are also referred to as evergreen bagworms. After all, as a homesteader you’re probably wearing work gloves anyway. They do not have antennae or wings. Hatching larvae are small (approximately 2 mm long) and often disperse to surrounding plants by spinning a silken thread and ‘ballooning’ on the wind. The bagworm life cycle encompasses four stages – egg, larvae, pupal, and mature adult. I would appreciate ANY INFO or ways to control or manage these horrible insects/worms. Bagworm moth, (family Psychidae), any of a family of insects (order Lepidoptera) that are found worldwide and named for the baglike cases the larvae construct around themselves. Bagworms, unlike many destructive garden pests, do not spread quickly, largely because the female is incapable of flying. Infestations have recently been noticed north of Interstate 80 in the state. Early detection of an infestation requires careful examination of host plants for the presence of small bagworms attached to the leaves or needles. Make sure to find a long stick because the bagworms can (and will) weave their pouches high into the trees. Using a stick with a pointy end, puncture the pouches of bagworms that you find on the homestead. When bagworms are too numerous to handpick, an insecticide application may be indicated. Bagworms lay eggs that hatch as moths between the last days of May through the early weeks of June. Stir the mixture until it is thoroughly combined and sudsy. Next, the larvae locate a host and start to spin a new protective pouch around themselves. Read and follow directions and safety precautions on labels. If you see an adult bagworm moth flying free, it’s a male – they appear fuzzy and black, with transparent wings. Bagworms overwinter in the egg stage inside the female bags, which are fastened to … Just a single generation of bagworms are born annually. Bagworms overwinter in the egg stage inside the female bags, which are fastened to … Fully developed larvae are about 18 to 25 mm long. The female bagworms become mummified inside the pouch around the clutch of a few hundred to up to 1,000 eggs they produce. They weave the matter tightly together to both hide and strengthen the bag. The pouches bagworms create are about one and a half to two inches long. They are shaped like a spindle, and hang sturdily from infested trees, plants, or shrubs. Come September, male bagworms will mature and reappear as small, furry insects that resemble moths. Bagworm larvae feed on the foliage of both evergreen and deciduous trees, especially these favorite host plants: cedar, arborvitae, juniper, and false cypress. For best results, spraying to prevent or kill bagworms should happen at least by the middle of June. It also attacks certain deciduous trees such as black locust, honeylocust, and sycamore. Bags on spruce will look completely different from those on arborvitae or honey locust because the host plant material is incorporated into the bag. Common Name: Bagworm Scientific Name: Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth) Order: Lepidoptera Description: This insect is usually first detected by observing the bags produced by the larval (caterpillar) stages. The silks left after a bagworm infestation could strangle young branches. 2009). For the first few weeks after hatch, the smaller Bagworms do not produce conspicuous feeding symptoms. Adult Bagworm females are wingless. A bagworm pouch is filled with eggs that grow into larvae that are typically 2 inches (about 30 to 50 mm) long. Thank you for the excellent info you share as I look forward to each article you publish!! Male bagworms move outside of the pouch after mating, and die only a short distance from where the reproduction ritual occurred. The spread of the bagworm is slow since adult females are unable to fly. Figure 4. The top of the bag is sealed shut before they enter their next state of development. The bagworm is a perennial insect pest of arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce, and many other evergreen species (including Christmas trees). You can also burn the sack of bagworms, but make sure to stand over your burn barrel to ensure none of the larvae in the bag are blown free by the wind. Some larvae are transported to trees, plants, and shrubs that are close by via the wind. I once lost some very mature cedar trees that were the focal point at the entrance to my cabin in the woods. Pest of the Week August 4, 2020 Bagworms Bagworm feeding Male bagworm emerging from bag Male bagworm moth Parasitized bagworms that are now dead As soon as the caterpillar of the bagworm moth hatches, it weaves a silk cocoon around itself, inside which it will live until it grows into an adult moth. Adult male evergreen bagworm moths are furry and look a lot like blackish bees with long, tapering abdomen tips. This pest overwinters as eggs inside the female's abdomen inside the bag she constructed. These are tiny, grayish moth-like insects with fur on their body and transparent wings. Tie the bag tight once it is full, and place it in a trash can with a firm fitting lid until pickup day. This insect is most easily recognized by the case or bag that the caterpillar forms and suspends from ornamental plants on which it feeds. The bagworm caterpillars dine upon the upper epidermis area of the hosts and often make holes in the leaves. First reported in Oahu in 1984, the species is well established in South East Asia. They never leave the protective bag. Photo by Mark Etheridge. Male bagworms move outside of the pouch after mating, and die only a short distance from where the reproduction ritual occurred. (Credit: Will478/Shutterstock) All of this takes place within a few days to weeks. They are wingless and mainly reside on evergreens as well as junipers. In the larval stage, bagworms extend their head and thorax from their mobile case to devour the leaves of host plants, often leading to the death of their hosts. This site may earn commissions when you click on certain links. Unfortunately, unless you diligently check all potential hosts on your homestead, bagworm infestation go unnoticed until a significant amount of damage becomes visible, or if you are lucky enough to stumble upon a dangling bag. Spray the dishwashing mixture into the bag and cover the exterior of the pouch until it is saturated. Bagworms are tiny little creatures that will not harm you, but can be highly destructive to the trees on your homestead. Collect the bagworm pouches as you complete the inspection, putting them into a plastic bag after they are cut or hand pulled from a tree, shrub, or plant. I know some fall that are still alive as I have found them crawling on me after I have burned the webs.